Prevalence and Parental Psychological Burden of Cerebral Palsy in the Paediatric Population Consulting at the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood, and the resulting disability varies from mild to total dependence. It is a lifelong condition that affects the individual, family and immediate community and requires time, energy and extensive resources which is a burden not only to the care givers but to the society. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study took place at the Buea and Limbe Regional hospitals where medical records of children who are followed up were reviewed. The number of children who presented with cerebral palsy during the study period was obtained. Parents/caregiver of children with CP who have lived >3 months with their children were invited to come with their children to the hospital. Clinical and basic characteristics of the caregivers and patients were collected. The Zarit-Caregiver-Burden- Scale (Zarit-CBS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the GAD (GAD-7) Score were used to measure outcome variables. Data were then analysed using SPSS software version 29. Results: A total of 120 children presented with CP during the study duration with an overall prevalence of CP at BRH and LRH of 0.6% (0.59% and 0.62% respectively), and a male predominance of 60%. Out of them, 49 accepted to participate in the study. Birth asphyxia (46.9%), neonatal infection (44.9%) and maternal chronic disease (30.6%), were the main predisposing factors. Bilateral Spastic CP (67.4%) was the predominant clinical presentation and speech delay, (83.3%) the main associated comorbidity. Most of the parents (42.9%) experienced severe burden with respect to care. About half (51.0%) of them had a psychological disorder with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and up to 10.2% had moderately severe depression with a Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Moderate generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) with GAD – 7 score between 10 and 14 was found in 28.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of CP was relatively low at BRH and LRH and caregivers are greatly affected psychologically by the condition of their children and by the act of caring for their children, revealed by the results on depression and anxiety.